"The people rushed in. Then what do you think the cruel bishop did? He ordered his servants to lock the door and set the place on fire!
"The air was soon filled with the screams of the burning people. But the bishop only laughed and danced. He said to his servants:
"'Do you hear the rats squeaking inside the granary?'
"The next day came. There were only ashes in place of the great storehouse. There seemed to be no life about the town, for the people were all dead.
"Suddenly there was a great scurrying, as a tremendous swarm of rats came rushing out of the ashes. On they came, more and more of them. They filled the streets, and even made their way into the palace.
"The wicked bishop was filled with fear. He fled from the place and hurried away over the fields. But the swarm of rats came rushing after him. He came to Bingen, where he hoped to be safe within its walls. Somehow or other, the rats made their way inside.
THE RATS' TOWER.
"There was now only one hope of safety. The bishop fled to a tower standing in the middle of the Rhine. But it was of no use! The rats swam the river and made their way up the sides of the tower. Their sharp teeth gnawed holes through the doors and windows. They entered in and came to the room where the bishop was hiding."
"Wicked fellow! They killed and ate him as he deserved, didn't they?" asked Bertha.